Best places to do an outdoor photoshoot in Singapore

 

What are the best places to do an outdoor photoshoot in Singapore

The short answer to this question is that there is not ‘best place’. Singapore is an outdoor photoshoot heaven. There are so many unique places with wonderful sceneries and backgrounds. within this little Red Dot, you can get jungle, park, beach, city scape, shophouses, skyscrapers…. And of course to add to this a myriad of different cultural backgrounds: Little India and Arab Street just to mention a few.

Chose a location that suits you

There is not best place for an outdoor photoshoot in Singapore. I honestly don’t have a favourite place to shoot. Each shoot is unique and the most important thing is to pick a place that suits you and your family. If you have three small children, then doing a shoot downtown CBD is not exactly recommendable. But CBD could be an excellent choice if you are looking for some cool shots with teenagers or a selection of headshots or personal branding…

Some families like to have greenery, and in this case Botanical Garden is an excellent choice. I have done many outdoor photoshoots in Botanical Garden and each and every one is different and unique. Besides, the Garden is so big, that you get a very different shoot depending on which area you go to. The Garden is so varied in flora and fauna, that we don’t need to walk far to get a very diverse and beautiful gallery.

If you are leaving Singapore, then you may opt for a location such as Garden by the Bay East, where you get a great view of Singapore and some of it’s landmarks in the background.

Great shots no matter what location

I can guarantee you will get an extremely diverse gallery with great individual as well as group portraits, no matter where the shoot is done. Outdoor shoots is about angles, light, composition and interaction between the models. We can do an entire shoot an an MRT station and get great portraits. It is up to the photographer to capture the moments and work with the available background and light.

Examples of outdoor photoshoot locations in Singapore

Below is a few examples of what type of images you get in various locations in Singapore. Again, these are just examples from those locations. Each and every shoot is different. We work outdoors so the final images will be influenced on the lighting situation (there is no ‘wrong light’ but light will dictate the final image). Moreover, it will be affected by your children’s mood and what you wear (yes high heels limits our options a bit). So the most important thing is to be open and trust that I will get some great images no-matter what location we go to.

 

Photoshoot in Fort Canning Park

Below imagers are all taken around the playground in Fort Canning Park on an overcast day with a toddler who did not want to be in any photos…  This means the images with the little boy are more candid, whereas the little sister was an age where she could not easily escape to the playground….

I do not recommend meeting near a playground. It is simply too big of a distraction if your children are playground age. You will not get the type of family images you could get in an area with less obvious distractions. However, if you are happy with very candid pictures and hot looking toddlers, then this is absolutely the place for you.

 

Photoshoot in Botanical Garden Singapore

Below are three different shoots in Botanical Garden. Different locations, different light and different families. As you see the outcome is quite diverse.

 

 

Outdoor photoshoot on Sentosa at Tanjong Beach

Tanjong beach at sunset. Bright sunshine and lots of light is what you often get at the beach. Which is not a bad thing at all. As long as we work with the light we can get some striking images. And as I always like to get some bright and some dark backgrounds, this place is perfect as I just use the rocks for the darker images.

If you want we can even finish the session here with some water splashing if your family is up for it. But, yes, that belongs to the end of the session for obvious reasons!

 

Outdoor photoshoot at Gardens by the Bay East

Gardens by the Bay East has a great view of Marina Bay Sands and the city. It is a popular location for families leaving Singapore, as it has all these landmarks in the background. This location also has some greenery and flowers, which are my personal favourite backgrounds as floral backgrounds give an amazing blurred colourful and impactful backdrop .

 

Outdoor photoshoot National Stadium  Singapore

National Stadium is a fun and bright place to do a shoot and you get a bit of everything. Greenery, water features, promenade with a view of the city. We did an extended family session here. I really recommend bringing grandparents to outdoor sessions. They don’t need to be in every single picture. But it is a great gift for both children and grandchildren to have portraits together. And if the grandparents get tired, they can just go and sit on a bench or in a cafe whilst we finish the shoot.

 

Robertson Quay area

This place can be busy with people, but it is a wonderful place for a photoshoot with great light around 6PM. It is really popular with people who live in that area, as it gives them some unique and beautiful memories from their own neighbourhood.

I would advice to avoid Friday and Saturdays here as its simply so busy its hard to get portraits without too many strangers in the background.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you don’t think outdoor photoshoots are for you, then we can also do a studio portrait session with your family. You can get an idea of studio portraits and the styles we can do HERE

Finding the right headshot photographer can be tricky

Price matters!

How many images do I need

What style should I do?

Stick to your own style!

Ask your friends how they see you.

Iron your clothes!

Dress comfortably!

What colours should I wear for my headshot. 

Bring one extra outfit!

Don’t worry about shoes! 

Chill out! Relax! 

A few practical notes a out your session

How long does it take?

After your headshot

Reach out

If you have any questions, are in doubt what to wear or just want to tell me how you would like your headshots, then reach out. I am always at the other end of the line 9754 1759

 

Perhaps you have already successfully booked, or you are planning to book a maternity portrait session. Either way, this little read will help you to understand what will happen when you do a  maternity portrait session with Theresa Olesen Portraits, and what type of images we can create together.

Planning

Your maternity portrait session is completely tailored to what you want and the type of portraits you are looking to have. 

Not two maternity sessions are the same. It is therefore quite important to have a think about your images before the day of your session. The more we plan your images before your shoot, the better the final images will be in terms of matching the style you love and want to achieve. 

Style is a very individual thing. It is absolutely vital that you feel good about what you are wearing, the colours and the style. There are no rules of what you can wear.  Many women decide to do a couple of different styles. We can do so much by using dresses, drapes, scarfs etc.  And different lighting effects can help us create the portraits you want. 

Many women book me because of my complete wardrobe of maternity dresses, which are free to use during your session. The studio is filled to the brim with a huge collection of maternity dresses in all colours and shapes. All my dresses are hand made maternity dresses, made by designers in Europe, US and Australia with the purpose of being used for maternity portrait sessions. You are bound do find some that you will love. Below are all dresses from my studio 

Perhaps you prefer simple style:

Or perhaps you like a bit more drama and fun. This can be done through posing, dress choice and background choice:

Another popular style is the semi nude silhouette.

This shot is a beautiful timeless shot. And you can of course add your partner too. I love this shot as it is about the two of you and your baby (bump). If you would like this type of image, are sure you bring adequate underwear for the shoot. 

My see through dresses are also very popular

Nothing beats a nude silhouette!

 

Feel free to WhatsApp me on 9754 1759 with the type of maternity images you want. I am honestly happy to chat and see the style you love, so I can prepare the setups for these kinds of shoots before you arrive. 

Hair and makeup

There will be a hair and makeup artist at the studio for you for one hour on the day of your shoot. Make sure you are totally clear about what time your session starts, as the makeup artist is only booked for one hour. Due to her schedule she will not be able to stay longer if you are late.

You can do exactly the style hair and makeup you want. I work with Ellie from The Big Blow. Ellie has worked in the industry for more than 30 years and is an absolute pro in any style you could wish. So just tell her how you want your makeup and your hair and she will make it happen. 

But I don’t know how to pose!

No one are born knowing how to pose. Not for normal portraits, nor for maternity portraits. Rest assured I will pose you ever step of the way. Telling you exactly where to put your hands, feet and everything else. 

My sessions are very relaxed and my clients are never left with that feeling of ‘being in front of the camera’! We chat, laugh, have fun and take some great portraits. 

 

Who can I bring?

You can bring whoever you like! Again, it is your session and very much your portraits. I want you to love your portraits. The most loved portrait by everyone (particularly your baby when born and growing up) is usually the portrait with you and your partner. You can’t give your baby a more precious memory than a portrait with you and the dad. I know many men would rather wash the car, go grocery shopping or clean the house than come for a maternity portrait session. But I do encourage you to try to get him to come, even if it is just for one portrait. Tell him he ought to do it for his child.

Of course you can also bring your existing children, if this is not your first baby. If you are bringing siblings, please let me know beforehand, so I can prepare for this. Often children get restless during these type of portrait sessions, so I do recommend someone bring the child for a shot period of time to get the family shots, and then bring the child back home again. Of course we accommodate to every situation depending on the age of the child(ren)

And yes, grandparents, dogs etc are also welcome. Bring the ones you love and the ones that will be important parts of your baby’s life. We are creating beautiful portraits, not only for beauty but also for memories.  This pictures will pride the first pages of your baby’s album! 

How long is the session?

You can anticipate the session to be around 2+ hours. One hour for the hair and makeup and then 1+ hour for the session.  There is no time limit, and sometimes we get carried way with trying dresses on and playing around with lighting setups, in this case it may take a bit longer. However, I am aware that you are pregnant and posing for too ling is tiring, so I try to work as fast as possible. Of course you will get plenty of breaks to sit down and chill out in-between setup changes.

If you at any point feel tried or uncomfortable, please do let me know. Although I have birthed four children myself, I prefer to not assist in any child births at my studio:)

When do I get my portraits:

If you have booked a mini maternity session, you package contains 10 high resolution edited digital images. These images are chosen by me and you will get a direct download with your images around two weeks after your session. All digital images are high resolution. I am happy to assist with prints or wall art. 

The selected images are final selections. A lot of time goes into the editing of maternity images. Sometimes I need to swap heads, merge the flow of dresses from various images, extend background etc. This is why the selection is final and done by me.

If you have booked a full maternity session, you will be invited back to the studio around two weeks after your session to view your final 20 image gallery and chose which package you would like to purchase. Prices can be found here. 

 

For more information general information about maternity sessions, click here

 

What to wear for my photo session?

I get this question over and over again. What to wear for my photo session? And by right it is very important to question to ask! Those portraits will be hanging on your walls for years to come, so it is quite important that you look and feel your absolute best. This blog details a few hints an idea on how to decide what to wear for your photo session

The first question to ask your self is what colour you will be wearing, or what colour theme you want. 

Deciding on a colour seems so simple, yet it can be so daunting. Read on, to get a few hints on how you can find a colour that fits you. 

Individual portraits – what to wear:

If you are doing individual portraits, for instance you have booked a Women’s Beauty Session then you pretty much have free reins in what colours to wear, as you don’t have to consider matching other family members. 

Hints for picking your colour and outfit for individual portraits: 

• Wear colours that suit you. Most people have a good idea about which colours suit them, and consciously or subconsciously have those colours as the main part of their wardrobe. Or you can go for a colour analysis (more about this later) to get help determining what colour you are. 
• Have a ‘safe option’ – a colour that you love and often wear. Of course you can also have fun and try different colours and dresses from the studio wardrobe after. Sometimes you will be surprised what looks good on you. But make sure you have your safe option!
• Pick a cut and a style you are comfortable with. Don’t pick something with too low cleavage or short skirt (unless you are going for that look). If you like to cover your arms, cover them. Do what makes you comfortable. 
• Don’t buy new outfits or dresses the day before. It is better to be photographed in clothes you have worn before, so you are sure you are comfortable in them.

Family portraits – what to wear:

If you have booked a family portrait session or a mummy and me session, then you need to decide on outfits for all of you. This is something most people find very challenging.

Many sites and photographers recommend ‘jeans and white tops’ or ‘all neutral’ (beige, cream, white). And of course you can’t go wrong if you do that. It is a safe option for sure. And it is definitely better than not being colour coordinated! If you have a lot of people in the portrait and you stress about them not bringing the colour you ask them to, then wearing white tops can be the solution

You can also spice up the white top look by closing a bit of an eye catching background colour. This works really well to spice up an image where people are all dressed in white.

However, you can do so much more with colours to create an incredible harmonic family portrait. It looks absolutely amazing when people are colour coordinated but not identical. Matching colours is an art and requires some planning and thinking. But when it is perfected, it is absolutely beautiful, and nothing beat a colour coordinated family portrait.

Pastel colours are great. Or you can go beige, gold, bronze….

Personally I love contrasty colours and when mastered it creates an incredible powerful portrait

Where to start when deciding the colour theme for my photo session:

I suggest you start with yourself (assuming that 99% of people reading this are women/mothers). Decide on a colour that you like and that looks good on you, then fit the rest of the family members around that colour scheme. 

Lets say you pick a warm blue, then children and husband should match that. By matching, I mean finding tones that compliments your chosen colour. And example could be blue and yellow which is very complimentary  

Or perhaps you have a lovely orange dress you want to wear, in which case you can consider an autumn scheme of colours for the entire family.

Hints for picking your colour and outfit for group and family portraits: 

• Start by looking what you have in your wardrobe and built it up around that. Pick one base colour that you love and add colours. You can find lots of ideas here https://coolors.co put in one colour and the site will suggest matching colours. 
• Less is more. If you don’t know how to complement different colours. Just keep it simple. Go for 2-3 shades of the same colour, like all in blues or all in pastel. 
• By new outfits in advance. Wear them before the shoot, to make sure everybody are comfortable. 
• Make sure all clothes fit. Discomfort is shown in the face immediately. 
• If you have kids, discuss with them what they will be wearing (Yes, I have witnessed quite a few meltdowns by kids that refused to wear the new dress mummy bought for the shoot)!
• NO logos or big print on clothing
• Block colours are best, too many patterns and flowers in family portraits is very overwhelming. 

What colour suits you?

Finding a colour that suits you is not that simple. Most people I know have a colour they think suit them or a favourite colour. However, there is so much more to colours than a ‘favourite colour’. 

I recently went for a personal colour analysis with Jo Watering, the owner of Colour Capsule in Singapore. Jo is a colour expert. It is her job to help people find their ideal colour scheme. 

I went for my colour analysis, determined that I am a ‘blue person’ and as long as I wear blue, I am fine. However, within an hour with Jo, I had learnt that I am in fact what the professionals call ‘warm spring’. yes, there are shades of blue in ‘warm spring’ but there are so many other shades and colours that fit me. Colours that I have never considered as ‘mine’. But colours that do in fact look great on me.

101 colour theory:

To be added

I got the colours sorted, now what

If you got the colours sorted, you are 90% done. It really is the hardest part. And if you struggle with it, I would recommend you to check out what Jo Watering can do for you. Your colour won’t ever change, so if you have one consultation helping you to find your colour, it will benefit you for the rest of your life, and make clothes shopping so much easier. 

You got your colour, all you have to do is find an outfit. And please please start with your own wardrobe. There is a very good chance you have an outfit with your chosen colour, and there is no need to give more support to the clothing industry just because you got for a photoshoot. As said earlier, it is about the colour and feeling comfortable. NOT about the brand and new clothes. 

Although if you want an excuse to get a new dress, then absolutely tell your husband that Theresa told you to get it for the shoot 🙂

Pick something that fits you 

I very strongly recommend you to were something you feel comfortable in. Don’t think you can suck in the tummy for the entire shoot. And if you are conscious about your legs, then don’t wear a mini skirt. 

I can of course photoshop you, but that is not the purpose of the shoot, and no matter how much I photoshop your tummy or your legs…. Your facial expression will 100% show you are not comfortable. And then what is a flat photoshopped tummy, if you look uncomfortable?

Ask Theresa for help

It is in my very best interest that you feel good about your colours and outfits. I am very happy to advice and would love to see what you the chosen before the session, as it helps me prepare for the session. Send me a screenshot of your colour theme and lets chat about it!

There is also a good chance I can help you with the dresses for ladies and girls. 80% of the dresses worn in the portraits in this post are from my studio wardrobe! So feel free to come and check out what I have and have a chat about your shoot.

Why only 20 images?

I get the question over and over again. Why do we only get 20 images to select from? This comes with other questions such as; how about the unedited images…?

Can we select some from the unedited files? Where is the rest of them? We are fine with unedited images,  just send them over!

It often leads to question about pricing. “why would we pay you $1299 for 20 images when we can get 200 images from someone else at $199”?

If you continue reading, you will get a better understanding of the value of 20 images. And if you don’t see the value of them, then there is absolutely no obligation to use me as your photographer. The market is saturated with photographers, all at different prices and different quality. 

Generally you get what you pay for.

Back got the 20 image question!

The short answer to the question is: Because every single one of those 20 image are perfect.  I am a fine art portrait photographer. I shoot for your walls. I do not shoot for your hard drive. What I create is to be enjoyed every day for decades. Not to be lost on a hard drive in a couple of years. 

The longer answer to the question is here:

PLANNING

All my portraits are planned beforehand (style and colours). You let me know what style you like, what colours you like and who you want to bring for your session. A lot of time goes into planning a portrait even before it is taken. An in person pre session consultation is included for all my sessions. This means 1-2 hours planning your session together at my studio. Time that I do not charge for, it is included in the final image price. 

POSING

I am highly trained in posing people. Whether it is family portraits, men, women, children or babies, I will guide my model through every single aspect of posing. It takes a lot of skill to pose people so they look their best and at the same time look natural. This skill is something I have learnt through years of practice and through numerous courses and expensive 1-2-1 mentoring sessions.  Yes there is such thing as posing mentoring:)

LIGHTING

Light is everything. It literally is such a bit part of an image. If not done correctly, the image simply won’t work. Every single one of my images have impeccable light setups. These individual setups are thought through lighting setups that suit the person I am photographing. I do not use a ‘one light fit all’. Often during a session you will see me change light setups, test lights, do modifications etc to get that perfect light that suit my model. Again I have spent years perfecting my lighting knowledge so I know which light to use for all types of portraits. And yes you guessed right, more 1-2-1 mentoring on lighting with some of the best portrait photographers in the UK.

 

SELECTING

Of course I take more than 20 images. After the session, during my selection process, I pick the best images for editing. I look at composition, lighting, posing, expression etc etc. It can take more than an hour to select 20 images from 200 images. And trust me, I do select the best ones! Firstly, because I don’t want anything less than perfect to my name. Secondly, I want you to like it, so why would I not show you the best?

EDITING

Don’t even get me started on the topic of editing. Your shoot may take 2-3 hours, but it takes so much longer to edit those images. This is because I edit to perfection. I can spend 20 minutes  alone on the background of an image, as I am extremely fuzzy about how I want it to look. Then comes all the retouching of the model. And no, I do not change the way people look what so ever. But it does take a long time to remove stray-hair, retouch skin, enhance colours etc. Then comes the tricky family and group images. There is always someone who closes their eye or look the other way. In this case I swap that persons’ head from another image, in order to get the perfect family portrait with everyone looking their best.

If I gave you more than 20 images to chose from, you would get a bunch of unedited images. Images where you can see the light stand to the left. Images where you are blinking. Images where your toddler is screaming his head off. You would have the choice of image A: mum and dad looks amazing, but toddler is screaming. OR image B: Dad and toddler look amazing, mum is closing her eyes and her foot is out of the frame…. By selecting 20 images I make the job easy for you. I only show you perfect images. In this case I would have merged the two images so all three of you look perfect.

How much wall space do you have?

Lastly, there is the space issue! I shoot for your walls. I only sell prints and wall art (I gift you the corresponding digital high resolution copy when you buy a print). Why do I do this? Because I want you to display your portraits! You have paid $1299 for 20 portraits. I have spent 25-30 hours creating them. Therefore, I want them on your wall! And do you have wall space for more than 20 images? Unless you live in a large house and decide to dedicate all your walls to these portraits, then chances are, you even have to select a few from the 20 you want to display. You simply don’t have space to display all of them. 

A photographer for every budget

As I mentioned above, there is a photographer for every budget. There is a photographer for every taste. I may not be the photographer for you. If you want 300 unedited images for $199, then I am not for you. In fact if you want unedited images, I am not for you.

If you want to chose between 20 perfect portraits, then I am for you. You don’t need to pick all 20. I will show you 20 portraits, beautifully printed and displayed at my studio for when you come for yout your viewing and buying session. It is totally up to you which ones you want to purchase. There is no hard sell, I only want you to get the ones you are in love with. However, most people fall in love with them all, so there is a good chance you will too.

If you want to read more about how my sessions work and everything I can do for you please read here

And my full pricing can be found here

 

 

Michelle’s Mummy & Me portrait session

My absolute favourite kind of portrait is Mummy & Me portraits. You get the best of everything, women’s beauty, fine art child portraits and connection between the two. There is nothing more empowering than capturing the strong bond between a mother and her child.

Behind every mum is a strong woman

Mums are not only mums, they are women! Strong, multitasking, sleep-deprived, incredible women. Some women juggle a job and children, whilst others have given up their career, or put it on hold, to be there for their children. No matter what type of mum you are, you are amazing. You are the rock of the family, you are the one that they cry to when they are hurt, and you are the one they bitch to when they can’t find something. You are there – always.

I think mum’s should be celebrated and honoured. Not only as mums but as women. My Mummy & Me sessions are all about celebrating you as a woman and a mother. Get beautiful makeup done by my professional makeup artist Ellie from Big Blow, and use any of the dresses from my studio wardrobe. with more than 200 dresses for girls and women, there will sure be one that fit your size and taste.

With a Mummy & Me session you get a beautiful diverse gallery with images of you together with your children as well as individual portraits of all of you. I try to do a mix of interaction shots and well as more styled portraits.

Michelle Hon – author of “The Chill Mom”

Beautiful Michelle came to me for a Mummy & Me portrait session with her three children. Michelle is not just an incredible mum, she is also an entrepreneur and an author. She has written “The Chill Mom – how to go from anxious expectant mother to relaxed confident mum”.

This is a book is an amazing read for anyone pregnant or have just had a baby.  Michelle gives you advice on what can be a daunting task – becoming and being a parent. She covers everything from being  mentally and physically ready for pregnancy and handling life as a new mother,  and to how to balance motherhood with career.

You can also follow Michelle (The Chill Mom) on Instagram where she regularly post snippets from her and her children’s life. Such a great page. It aways makes me smile when her posts pops up.

Michelle is so down to earth! Yes, I know she has had three children and still looks like a super model, but she is in all honestly a super down to earth and likeable person. I really enjoyed my session with her and her children. Her youngest was not the most keen model. In fact, he did not want his picture taken at all. Despite all my tricks, he was more into Chase from Paw Patrol than me and my camera. It really is a lost battle when you have to compete with  Chase.

Pick your battles

This is where my admiration for Michelle was manifested. Instead of forcing her son  to sit in front of the camera, instead of bribing him, she just said, “let him have Chase, it is more important to get a happy picture with him in it” And viola, below picture was taken. This may not be an award winning photograph, but this is Michelle with her three children and Chase! This is them as they are right in this point of time. And I bet Michelle will look back at this image, when her soon is grown up and think:  ‘aww thats when he loved Paw Patrol, I loved those years’

 

So my advise to all mums out there PICK YOUR BATTLES. Michelle picked her and got a portrait of her with her children including a happy son. If you want to learn more from Michelle, hit over to her website and have a look at her book.

You can book your Mummy & Me portrait session here or give me a call 9754 1759 to chat about what kind of portrait you would like